Coin segregator



March 10, 1931. s, ALLEN 1,795,284

' COIN SEGREGATOR Filed Dec. 5. 192a mam? Patented Mar. 10, 1931 PATENT OFFICE SHERMAN '1. ALLEN, F BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA COIN SEGREGATOR Application fi1ed December 3, 1928. Serial No. 323,374.

My invention relates to coin-operated mechanisms, and has for an object the provision of a device capable of segregating a predetermined proportion of the coins insert- 5 ed into the coin chute of such a device.

Another object is the provision of a coin segregator adapted to deflect a predetermined proportion of coins inserted into the coin chute, into an auxiliary coin chest or receptaele, and provided With means for automatically discharging these segregated coins after a predetermined number thereof have accumulated.

A further object is to provide a coin segregating device as described, including separate compartments for the reception of the segregated coins, these compartments being preferably provided with individually operable means for preventing removal of coins by any but authorized persons. 2

The invention possesses other objects and advantage us features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated inthe drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Eefen ing to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a device embodying the principles of my invention, a portion of the casing being broken away to better disclose the operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a compound, horizontal sectional view, the planes of section being taken upon the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, and thedirection of View being indicated by the arrows.

In terms of broad inclusion, the device of my invention is a mechanism adapted to be used in combination with any type of coin- 40 controlled mechanism such as that for operating scales or for vending various commodities. The device of my invention is capable of deflectinga predetermined proportion of the coins inserted into such a coin-controlled mechanism, into an auxiliary coin chest or receptacle. This coin chest may be in the form of a locked compartment, access to which may be had by key, and the device may be provided with a trap automatically releasable to discharge the segregated coins into the auxiliary chest only after a predetermined number thereof have been accumulated.

Specifically describing the invention in the most practicalembodiment of which I am at present aware, the device of my invention is adapted to be mounted in any suitable housing 6, permitting it to be incorporated with any desired coin-controlled mechanism such as those now commonly employed for operating coin-controlled weighing scales or for operating coin-controlled vending machines. Such devices are practically universally provided with a coin chute 7 having a trigger 8 therein connected by a link 9 or analogous structure, to the operating'mechanism, the'parts being so proportioned and arranged that when a coin is dropped through the chute 7, the trigger 8 is moved so that the link 9 starts operation of the weighing or vending mechanism. Any desired means are employed for returning the trigger 8 to initial position after the mecha nism is so started, an eecentrically hung weight 11 being well suited for this purpose. Since this weighing or vending mechanism constitutes no portion of my invention, it is not deemed essential to show or describe such mechanism herein. It is to be understood however, that an operating rod 12 is so ar ranged that it is engaged by a portion of such vending or weighing mechanism, once during each operation thereof, to be reciprocated longitudinally by the rod 12. For this purpose the rod 12 is mounted in a guide 13, rigid with a portion of the housing 6. However, the operating rod 12, of most Weighing machines, is so connected to the other mechanism of the device, that it generally moves a short distance before the indicating mechanism is activated after a Weight has been imposed upon the weighing platform. This small amount of movement is, in reality, the lost motion between the operating rod 12 and the coin-control mechanism. Therefore, I have found it'expedient to provide an adjustable connection between the control rod 12 and the mechanism of my coin segregator, as hereinafter described.

A bracket 14 isrigidly mounted upon a portion of the housing 6, and a ratchet wheel 15 is journalled for rotary movement thereupon, these elements being 'so disposed that the operating rod 12 extends substantially tangentially to the ratchet wheel 15, as clearly shown upon Fig. 1. An arm 16 is also mounted for rotary movement upon the bracket 14,'the axis of rotary movement of the arm 16, coinciding with that of the ratchet wheel 15. The arm 16 has upon its outer end, a projection 17, both the upper and lower surfaces of which are inclined. A head 18 is adjustably secured to the rod 12 by a set screw 19 or its equivalent, and carries a pawl 20, which is resiliently pressed into position to engage the projection 17, by a leaf spring 21 carried by the head 18. The head 18 should be locked in position by the set screw 19, so that when the rod 12 is in its retracted position, the pawl 20 is spaced from the projection 17 a distance substantially coinciding with the distance that the rod 12 moves to take up the lost motion between itself and the coin-control mechanism. As a result, when a weight is imposed upon the platform of the weighing device without the proper depositing of a coin in the coin chute 7, the arm 16 will not be moved.

A coil spring 22 resiliently retains the arm 16 in its uppermost position, this spring 22 being under tension between the arm 16 and an arm 23 carried by a guide 24. The guide 24 is rigid with the housing 6, and has the rod 12 slidably disposed therein. Pins 25disposed above and below the end of the arm 16 and rigidly mounted upon the housing 6, serves to limit the stroke of the arm 16, it being understood that this limitation of the stroke of the arm 16, does not similarly limit the stroke of the rod 12, in that when the arm 16 is stopped by either of the pins 25, the

awl 20 is pressed against the tension of the spring 21 by one of the sloping surfaces of the projection 17, so that the pawl 20 slips past .the projection 17 and permits continued unrestricted movement of the rod 12. A plurality of ratchet teeth 26 are formed on the periphery of the wheel 15; and a pawl 27,

ivotally mounted by means of a pin 28 adacent the outer end of the arm 16, is pressed by a spring 29 into engagement with the teeth 26. A second bracket 31 is provided with a pin 32 upon which another pawl 33 is mounted, this second pawl being also pressed by a spring 34 into engagement with the teeth 26; with the result that reverse rotation of the wheel 15 is precluded. It is obvious then, when the operating rod 12. moves donward, the engagement of the pawl 27 with the teeth 26, effects rotation of the wheel 15 in the direction of the arrow R upon Fig. 1, and that when the operating arm 12 is retracted, the wheel 15 is held against reverse rotation by the pawl 33. The pins 25 should be so spaced that each time the arm 16 operates, it will move a distance sufficient to rotate the wheel 15 a distance corresponding to one tooth 26. Therefore, the wheel 15 will have made a complete revolution when a number of coins corresponding to the number of teeth 26, have been dropped through the coin chute 7. Y

A second ratchet wheel 36 is mounted for rotation with the first mentioned ratchet wheel 15; but preferably the major portion of the periphery of the ratchet wheel 36 is smooth, the number of teeth 37 upon the ratchet wheel 36 being a fractional part of the number of teeth 26 on the ratchet wheel '15. For example, if the ratchet wheel 15 be upon a pin 42 carried by another bracket 43. The bracket 43 and deflecting plate 41 are disposed below and slightly to one side of the coin chute 7; and a coil spring 44 under tension-between the deflecting plate 41 and an eye 46 rigid with the bracket 43, normally holds the deflecting plate 41 in retracted position so that the passage of coins therepast is not interfered with.

A rod 47 slidably mounted within a guideway 48 which is rigid with the bracket 43, bears a pin 49 at its outer end which is engaged within a slot 51 in a lug 52 rigid with the after side of the deflecting plate 41. The inner end 53 of the rod 47 is beveled, and the parts are so arranged that this beveled end 53 of the rod 47 is in the line of travel of the teeth 37 of the ratchet wheel 36. Consequently, when the wheels 15 and 36 have been rotated a distance corresponding to the distance between two of the teeth 37, the rod 47 will have been engaged in such a manner that the deflecting plate 41 is moved to 013- 'erative position. Obviously then, the deflecting plate 41 will be moved to deflecting position and returned to inoperative position ten times with the particular arrangement of teeth 26 and 37 described, each time the wheels 15 and 36 make a complete revolution. It is to be observed that the teeth 37 are sufliciently broad so that each retains upon its crest, the end 53 of the rod 47, until the wheels 15 and 36 are again moved by the next successive operation of the operating rod 12; with the result that the coin inserted through the chute 7 which efl'ects this subse quent operation of the operating rod 12, will strike the deflecting plate 41 and be directed thereby to a diiferent course of travel than that which it would take if the deflecting plate 41 were in normal, inoperative position.

Preferably a pair of coin receiving receptacles are provided. The main receptacle 56 is adapted to receive the major portion of the coins from the coin chute 7, since there is a guideway 57 extending from below the chute 7 to the receptacle 56. An auxiliary coin receptacle 58 is provided closel adjacent the path of the coins as they fal from the coin chute. Associated with this auxiliary receptacle 58 is a pivoted cup 59, the rear wall 61 of which is so disposed in respect to the deflecting plate 41, that when a coin from the coin chute 7 is deflected by the plate '41, the coin falls into the cup 59.

The cup 59 is mounted upon a pivot pin 63 which is supported upon a portion of the housing 6; and a trigger 64 is normally engaged by a detent 66 holding the trigger 64 in that position in which the cup 59 is adapted to receive the coins from the deflecting plate 41. The detent 66 is pivoted upon a suitable pin 67, and is connected by a link 68 to a lever 69 which is pivoted'by a pin 71 to the bracket 31. The lever 69 has an exten sion 72 extending adjacent the ratchet wheel 15 in position to be engaged by a lug'73carried by the wheel15. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that whenthe lug 73 engages and moves the lever 69, the detent 66 will be withdrawn from trigger-engaging position, permitting the cup 59 to be swung about its pivot63 by the weight of the accu mulated coins 74, discharging these coins 74 into a chute 76 leading to the bottom of the auxiliary receptacle 58. A weight 77 is disposed upon the trigger 64 so as to return the cup 59 to normal position; and a stop 78 limits this return movement of the cup 59 by engaging the rear wall 61 thereof. The auxiliary receptacle 58 is preferably constructed in the form of a locked coin chest, access to which may be had by key. For this purpose it is provided with a hinged closure- 79 held releasably closed by a lock 8O. If the key permitting access to the auxiliary receptacle 58 is diflerent from that by means of which access to the main'coin receptacle 56 may be had, it is quite obvious that the segregated coins might be collected by a person other than the person having access to the main coin receptacle. A consideration in this connection is that the weighing or vending machine could be rented out to a storekeeper or the like upon a royalty basis, and the store-keeper given the key to the auxiliary receptacle 58, while the owner of the machine would have the key to the main receptacle 56. This arrangement would permit the store keeper to collect a certain percentage of the coins deposited in the machine,

but only after the machine has been operated a predetermined number of times.

The method of operation of the my invention is substantially as follows:

When a coin is deposited in the chute 7, it falls therethrough, moving the trigger 8, and then falls past the deflecting plate 41 without impinging thereupon, strikes the guide 57 device of and falls into the mam receptacle 56. The

movement of the trigger 8, will activate the weighing or vending mechanism; with the When the next com is deposited in the coin chute 7, it will fall therethough, moving the trigger 8, and then, falling upon the deflecting plate 41, will be deflected into the pivoted cup 59. The movement of the trigger 8 however, will causesimilar oscillation of the operating rod 12, so that the wheels 15 and 36 are again moved a distance corresponding to a tooth 26, whereupon the tooth which engaged the rod 47 is moved therepast, disengaging the rod 47 and permitting the deflecting plate '41 to be moved by the spring 44, back intoinoperative position.

It is readily apparent therefore, that with the number of teeth 26 and 37 proportioned as above described, 10% of the coins deposited in the machine, will be collected in the auxiliary receptacle 58, and in the main receptacle 56.

This operation will be continued by successive steps, each step being coincident with the passage of a coin through the chute 7 until the lug 73 is moved into position to engage the extension 72 of the lever 69. When the next coin is deposited in the coin chute 7, the lug 73 will so move the lever 69 that the detent 66 is withdrawn from engagement with the trigger 64, permitting the weightof the accumulated coins 74 to tip the pivoted cup 59 and discharge the coins 74 into the chute 76 from which position they then may be removed by a person holding the key to the lock 80. Hence the machine operates as a true apportioning device,.inasmuch as its function is to apportion the entire proceeds of the machine into a plurality of parts of predetermined relative quantity so that each of aplurality of interested parties is enabled to take from the machine his proportionate share of the machines earnings without being given access to the rest'of the accumulated coins.

Various changes may be made in the details of the invention as herein described, without departing from the'scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coin apportioning device comprising a coin chute, a main coin receptacle and an auxiliary coin receptacle, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotary movement, a pawl pivoted thereadjacent, yieldable means urging said pawl against said ratchet wheel to hold the wheel against reversed rotation, a pawl adapted to impart rotary movement to said ratchet wheel a predetermined distance each time it operates, means activated each time a coin passes through said chute for operating said rotating pawl, a deflector associated with said chute and adapted to deflect coins from said chute into said auxiliary receptacle, means normally holding said deflector inopera-tive, a second ratchet wheel mounted for iotation with said first mentioned ratchet wheel, there being fewer teeth on said second mentioned wheel, and a rod slidably mounted in position to be engaged by the teeth of said second mentioned wheel as they move therepast, said rod being connected to said deflector to more the deflector to operative position when engaged by one of-said teeth.

2. A coin apportioning device comprising a coin chute, a main coin receptacle and an auxiliary coin receptacle, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotary movement, a pawl pivoted thereadjacent, yieldable means urging said pawl against said ratchet wheel to hold the wheel against reversed rotation, a pawl adapted to impart rotary movement to said ratchet wheel a predetermined distance each time it operates, means activated each time a coin passes through said chute for operating said rotating pawl, a deflector associated with said chute and adapted to deflect coins from said chute, means normally holding said deflector inoperative, a second ratchet wheel mounted for rotation with said first mentioned ratchet wheel, there being fewer teeth on said second mentioned wheel, a rod slidably mounted in position to be engaged by the teeth of said second mentioned wheel as they move therepast, said rod being connected to said deflector to move the deflector to operative position when engaged by one of said teeth, a trap associated with said auxiliary receptacle and adapted to collect the coins as they are deflected, and means associated with said wheels for springing said trap to release the segregated coins into said auxiliary receptacle after the deflector has been operated a predetermined number of times.

3. A coin apportioning device comprising a coin chute, a main coin receptacle and an auxiliary coin receptacle, a ratchet Wheel mounted for rotary movement, a pawl pivoted thereadjacent, yieldable means urging said pawl against said ratchet wheel to hold the wheel against reversed rotation, a pawl adapted to impart rotary movement to said ratchet wheel a predetermined distance each time it operates, means activated each time a coin passes through said chute for operating said rotating pawl, a deflector associated with said chute and adapted to deflect coins from said chute, means normally holding said deflector inoperative, a second ratchet wheel mounted for rotation with said first mentioned ratchet wheel, there being fewer teeth on said second mentioned wheel, a rod slidably mounted in position to be engaged by the teeth of said second mentioned wheel as they move therepast, said rod being connected to said deflector to move the deflector to operative position when engaged by one 'and means associated with said wheel for moving the detent out of trigger-engaging position after the wheels have rotated a predetermined distance.

4. A coin apportioning device comprising a coin chute, a main coin receptacle and an auxiliary coin receptacle, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotary movement, a pawl. piv' oted thereadjacent, yieldable means urging said pawl against said ratchet wheel to hold the wheel against reversed rotation, a pawl adapted to impart rotary movement to said ratchet wheel a predetermined distance each time it operates, means activated each time a coin passes through said chute for operating said rotating pawl, a deflector associated with said chute and adapted to deflect coins from said chute, means normally holding said deflector inoperative, a second ratchet wheel mounted for rotation with said first mentioned ratchet wheel, there being fewer teeth on said second mentioned wheel, a rod slidably mounted in position to be engaged by the teeth of said second mentioned wheel as they move therepast, said rod being connected to said deflector to move the deflector to operative position when engaged by one of said teeth, a trap associated with said auxiliary receptacle and adapted to intercept deflected coins before they pass thereinto, a trigger rigid with said trap, a detent releasably engaging said trigger to hold the trap closed, yieldable means normally holding said detent in trigger-engaging position. a lever pivotally mounted adjacent one of said wheels, a lug on the adjacent wheel in position to engage said lever in moving therepast, and a link connecting said lever and detent to move the detent out of triggerengaging position when the lever is moved by said lug.

5. In combination with a coin-controlled mechanism, a coin apportioning device comprising a chute, a plurality of receptacles, means for apportioning coins from said chute between said receptacles according to predetermined proportion, means operable after a plurality of coins have passed through said chute for operating said apportioning means, means for intercepting and collecting coins apportioned to one of said receptacles, and means operable after a predetermined number of coins have passed through the chute for discharging the coins collected by said intercepting means into the associated receptacle.

6. In combination with a coin-controlled mechanism, a coin apportioning device comprising a chute, a plurahty of receptacles, means for apportloning coins from said chute between said receptacles according to predetermined proportion, means operable after a predetermined number of coins have passed through said chute for operating said apportioning means, means interposed between said coin-controlled mechanism and the apportioning device for operating said apportioning device operating means, said interposed means being adjustable to permit a predetermined amount of movement of the coin-controlled means without operating the apportioning device.

7. In combination with a coin-controlled mechanism, a coin apportioning device comprisinga chute, a plurality of receptacles, means for apportioning coins from said chute between said receptacles according to predetermined proportion, means operable after a predetermined number of coins have passed through said chute for operating said apportioning means, means interposed between said coin-controlled mechanism and the apportioning device foroperating said apportioning device operating means, said interposed means being adjustable to permit a predetermined amount of movement of the coin-controlled means without operating the apportioning device, and said interposed means being resilient to permit continued movement of the coin-controlled means after completion of the operation of said apportioning device operating means.

8. In a coin controlled mechanism, a coin chute, an operating element, means for moving said operating element each time a coin passes through the chute, means for apportioning coins passing through the chute into a plurality of receptacles, and means interposed between said apportioning means and said operating element for actuating said apportioning means each time the operating element is moved, said interposed means permitting unrestricted movement of said operating element but effecting only a limited movement of said apportioning means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

SHERMAN T. ALLEN. 

